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Opinion

MN Voters Alliance on Minnesota Constitutional Ballot Question is Misleading

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MN Constitutional Ballot Question Title: Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal

If you haven’t voted yet, or if you have you probably have seen this Minnesota Constitutional Ballot Question on either the actual ballot or the “What’s on my Ballot?” link on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. You might be wondering what is going on with this Constitutional Ballot Question.

Well the language of it is misleading. Most reading it above, will scratch their heads and think that the “Legacy” Fund is coming to an end and there needs to be a renewal vote. That’s not true.

The Misleading Constitutional Ballot Question Explained

To explain how misleading this Constitutional Ballot Question is there was a note sent out to those on the MN Voters Alliance email list, by the Executive Director of the Minnesota Voters Alliance, Andy Cilek. So we asked if we  could repost his note about this issue, and by permission here is his explanation.

MN Voters Alliance Explanation

There are some important details voters should be aware of before casting a vote on the measure:

  • Although this proposal does renew the money to be spent on conservation issues, it will result in a change of how the funds are allocated and removes the Legislature from the decision-making process and oversight.
  • This would increase the amount of funds collected through the lottery allocated and added to the programs by 20%.  With these new funds, they will be disbursed based on equity and disparities (DEI) by a new commission/taskforce with one like the composition of the new flag commission.  Eleven positions must be appointed by the Advisory Council and must include 4 tribe members and 4 members from communities of color.  These funds will be handed out through grants to non-profits

Although MVA [MN Voters Alliance] is not in support of, nor in opposition to, this referendum, we want to make voters aware of important information so they can make an informed vote.

A no vote does not remove the funding from the original amendment/implementation because it has not expired.  The current money will continue to fund environmental programs as Minnesotans desire and can be extended, when it does expire, by a simple renewal by the Legislature.

A yes vote would extend the dedication of revenue from the state-operated lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Fund through December 31, 2050; increase the amount of money that can be spent from the fund each year from 5.5% to 7.0% of the fund’s market value; and create a grant program to provide funding for projects related to addressing environmental issues in affected communities, environmental education, and natural resource conservation.

**MN Voters Alliance is not for or against this measure, but this website, mnhd66brepublicans.org suggests you Vote NO on this measure.

Our Reasons to VOTE NO on the Constitutional Ballot Question:

  • The Ballot Question in the way it’s worded is misleading
  • It takes the decision of how the money is allocated away from the Elected Body of the Legislature.
  • It embraces DEI
  • It requires an Advisory Board of 11 who are 4/11 Tribal Members as well as 4/11 a specific group by the color of their skin, plus 3 people who don’t have a specific requirement of who they are (not equal representation of the people who live here).
  • It also hands off more money to nonprofit organizations with no oversight of how the money is spent by those groups.
  • There’s nothing wrong with the current Constitutional Amendment which created the Environment and Natural Resources Fund, and it hasn’t expired yet.

Of course this is only a suggestion. You still do have free will in this state. If there is to be a readjustment in the way the money is spent it can go through hearings at the Committee at the State Legislature that oversees it. If this measure passes, your direct input may be taken away like our State Flag and State Seal was.

HD 66B Republicans are not associated in any way with the MN Voters Alliance. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and if you would like to know more about them check out their website at mnvoters.org/about-us. — admin.